Microemulsion systems based on a C_8/10 alkyl polyglucoside: A reentrant phase inversion induced by alcohols?

Abstract

The phase behavior of quaternary microemulsion systems with a technical-grade nonionic surfactant (C_8/10 alkyl polyglucoside) and different medium-chain alcohols (including the monoterpene geraniol) as cosurfactants is studied at 25 °C. Contour diagrams of the three-phase body at constant oil-to-water ratio have been mapped in terms of the mass fraction variables γ (surfactant + alcohol) and δ (relative amount of alcohol in the surfactant + alcohol mixture). Significant differences in the phase behavior of systems based on the pure alkyl glucoside β-C₈G₁ and those with the technical-grade C_8/10 APG are observed. Specifically, at high δ an anomalous shape of the three-phase region, or a second narrow three-phase region appears in systems with C_8/10 APG, which is absent in systems based on β-C₈G₁. Whereas at δ=0.5 all systems exhibit a phase inversion 2-3-$\bar 2$ on increasing γ, a retrograde transition 2-3-2 is observed at high δ. The anomalous shape of the three-phase body can lead to a phase sequence 2-3-$\bar 2$-3-2* with a reentrant 2* state, on increasing δ at constant γ. It is argued that the reentrant 2* state is due to a preferential extraction of the more lipophilic oligomers of the technical-grade surfactant into the oil phase, causing the interfacial film to become more hydrophilic again, as δ is increased.